Can Pumpkin Help With Dog Diarrhea?

An upset stomach can be frustrating, painful, and messy for both the dog and the owner. Yet, a lot of people suggest giving pumpkin to your dog to alleviate the symptoms. But can pumpkin help with dog diarrhea?
Yes, pumpkin can be great for a dog with diarrhea because it includes soluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals that accelerate recovery from loose stools.
In this article, we’ll discuss the common causes of diarrhea in dogs, how to use pumpkin to fight diarrhea, the proper diet guidelines when your dog is sick, and when to visit a vet.

What Are the Possible Causes of Dog Diarrhea?

It’s important to find the cause behind the runny stomach to provide suitable treatment. Acute diarrhea in dogs could have several causes, including:
  • Food poisoning
  • Ingestion of a medication with a laxative side effect
  • Anxiety due to big changes in the dog’s environment
  • Parasite infection such as worms
  • Bacterial infection
If you’re unsure of the severity of the situation, call your vet to rule out any serious problems in your doggy’s GI tract. The vet will suggest the best course of treatment for her.

How Is Pumpkin Beneficial for a Dog With Diarrhea?

Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs because it’s packed with nutrients and has a high fiber content.
Plus, pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as iron and potassium. These are very beneficial in promoting your dog’s health and replenishing the lost electrolytes from frequent bowel movements.
In addition, the fiber in the pumpkin soaks up the excess water in the large intestines, so it helps firm up the watery stools.

Should You Feed Your Dog Canned or Fresh Pumpkin?

Canned and fresh pumpkins are both very useful options.
However, canned pumpkin may be slightly better because it’s more nutrient-dense since its fresh counterpart has higher water content.
The second reason why we prefer canned pumpkin is convenience because all it takes is to buy a can, open it, and serve. Canned pumpkin also has a longer shelf life and can be readily available in stores all year round.
Just remember to check the label on the can to ensure that the pumpkin inside comes without additives or spices. Consuming these can upset your dog’s stomach even further.
Now, if you have some fresh pumpkin on hand, go ahead and start cooking!
The simplest ways to prepare fresh pumpkin for a dog are by roasting it in the oven for 45-50 minutes or boiling it for 20-30 minutes in a pot.
It’s important to keep in mind that canned pumpkin pie is not an option for a dog with diarrhea. The reason behind this is that it contains spice and could have a sweetener such as Xylitol, which is very toxic for dogs.
Needless to say, don’t let your dog have a taste of your pumpkin spice latte, as coffee is bad for dogs in general. It’s a diuretic, and losing water is the last thing we want when treating diarrhea!

How Much Pumpkin Should You Give Your Dog?

There is no exact dosage of pumpkin prescribed for dogs with diarrhea. A general rule is to start small when introducing any new food to your dog’s diet, especially when there are problems with his digestion.
Try adding one to four tablespoons of pumpkin to your dog’s food per day. Watch out for improvement of the dog’s health on the first day, then increase to one to four tablespoons per meal. Make sure to keep observing the consistency and frequency of passing stools.
If you have a bigger dog like a Great Dane or Bernese Mountain dog, he’ll need more of the pumpkin than if you have a puppy or a smaller breed like a Chihuahua or a Poodle.
A can of pumpkin should be consumed within five to seven days of opening, so you’ll most likely end up with a surplus. To avoid being wasteful, we suggest freezing the unused puree in ice cubes. Later, you can thaw them just before you offer them to your pup.
Avoid going overboard because too much fiber can cause a decrease in the overall protein intake of a dog, which can result in nutrient deficiency.
Additionally, too much fiber can absorb more water in the intestines. This might result in bulkier and more frequent defecation.

How Can You Use Pumpkin to Prepare Homemade Dog Treats?

Some dogs are picky eaters and reluctant to indulge in this new orange mush, so their gastronomic adventure stops as soon as their digestion is back to normal. For these canines, you'd have to disguise the pumpkin in each meal.

How Long Does It Take to Treat Dog Diarrhea with Pumpkin?

After introducing pumpkin to your dog’s diet, you need to look out for any changes and improvements in the dog’s digestive health.
Diarrhea usually clears up after one to three days. When the consistency is back to normal, you should continue feeding your dog pumpkin and other bland foods for two to three days.
Wean off the pumpkin and bland diet gradually in the next few days by mixing it half and half with his usual food.
After about a week, your dog’s gut should recover completely.

What to Look Out for When Feeding Your Dog Pumpkin?

Pumpkin is safe for most pets, but if your dog is allergic, you’ll have to discontinue it immediately. If you notice any signs of pumpkin allergies in dogs, visit the vet and let her know. The symptoms include:
  • Bloating
  • Obsessive licking
  • Skin redness
  • Rash
  • Coughing
Keep in mind that this is a rare allergy, so don't let the above symptoms discourage you from giving this remedy a try.

When Should You Take Your Dog to The Vet?

Even though diarrhea isn't necessarily a serious symptom, it might be a signal of an underlying health problem if it’s accompanied by other symptoms. Take your dog to the vet if you notice one or more of the following:
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Fever over 102.5 degrees
  • Blood in diarrhea
  • No improvement after a week of home remedies

Conclusion

Can pumpkin help with dog diarrhea?
Pumpkin is great for treating dog diarrhea. In this article, we outlined what could have caused the upset stomach and the role of pumpkin in a dog’s digestion.
The best way to introduce pumpkin to your pup is to do it gradually while keeping an eye on any changes that happen to your dog. Also, remember that visiting the vet for advice is always a great idea whenever you’re in doubt.